Piano-bench.



Patented July 3, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ATTORNEY H- R. ALLEN.

PIANO BENCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY12.1916.

msmaw Patented July 3, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR WIESSES ATTORNEY HENRY R. ALLEN, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

PIANO-BENCH.

Application filed May 12, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY R. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano Benches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to benches or seats, and particularly to seats adapted for use in connection with pianos Or player pianos.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a bench or seat which is capable of being adjusted in height, whereby to accommodate persons varying in stature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a seat of this character embodying adjusting means, whereby the seat may be prevented from sliding or slipping upon a floor during the pedalin movements of the instrument operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bench or seat which is capable of be ing readily slid from one side of its support to the other, to enable the instrument operator to position himself properly before the key board or pedals of the instrument.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a structure arranged primarily as a seat or support for a player, and which has arranged in combination therewith, compartments for the accommodation of the rolls or records for use in connection with the player piano, and the various compartments being provided with improved means for removing the records therefrom.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structure of this character forming a combined seat and cabinet, which is of attractive appearance, which ]S of simple and inexpensive construction, which is com posed of but few inexpensive and readily assembled parts, all so constructed and arranged as to prevent wear, breakage or dismemberment of the same, which will be strong and practically everlasting in use, and which will prove thoroughly efficient in the attainment of the ends for which it is designed.

With these objects in view, together with others, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully Specification of Letters Patent.

..-of this open ended socket Patented July 3, 191?. Serial No. 97,079.

hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating the same ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged vertical sectional view taken through one end of the bench or seat;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the bench and the slidable seat therefor.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken through one of the record compartments and illustrating the means for removing the record therefrom; Fig. 5 is a similar view taken through the back of the bench and illustrating the manner in which the bench top is connected thereto;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top and the cleat carried thereby;

Fig. is a detail perspective view of the tape ends used in the record extricating device; and

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the tape end retaining clips.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, 9 indicates generally the bench. This bench is box like in shape, being provided with a bottom 10, sides 11 and ends 12, legs or posts 13 being provided at the corners of the bench for supporting the body thereof, spaced above a floor. The posts or legs 18 are provided with central longitudinally disposed openings within which metallic shells 14 are arranged. The lowermost end of each shell is enlarged to provide a socket 15, opening downwardly. The edges for each leg terminate substantially even with the lowermost extremities of their respective bench posts. Mounted for sliding movement within each shell is a caster stem 16, the lower end of each stem being provided with a ball or roller housing within which the ball 17 is rotatably mounted, and the housing and ball being adapted to be accommodated within the socket portion 15 of the shell. An annular rib 18 is arranged upon each caster stem, engaging with the inner periphery of the shell 14, and limiting the downward j ecting the movement of the stem by engagement with a shoulder or stop 19 at the juncture of the housing with the reduced portion of the shell. The caster stems project upwardly through the posts 13 and into the lower portion of the box or bench 9.

Mounted for vertical sliding movement in suitable keepers 20 at each end of the box, upon the interior thereof, and spaced equidistant from the sides 11, are rods 21. These rods are pivotally connected at their lower extremities with the adjacent ends of rocklevers 22, the latter being pivoted inwardly from their ends as at 23 to the adjacent box ends and projecting in opposite directions from their point of connection with the slide rods 21. The outer extremities of the rock levers 22 bear upon the upper ends of the caster stems 16, and it is apparent that upward sliding movement of the rods 21 will, through the rock levers 22 force the caster stems 16 downwardly to project the rollers or balls 17 carried at the lower ends thereof, beyond the lowermost extremities of the legs 13.

The upper ends of the slide rods 21 project into casings 24.. A hand lever 25' is pivoted as at 26 for rocking movement with in each housing and is pivotally connected at its inner end as at 27 to the adjacent slide rod end. A catch member or projection 28 extends from the inner lever end and is adapted when the lever is rocked upwardly, to be engaged and held against downward movement by a latch 29. This latch is pivoted inwardly from one end as at 30 and is held against downward movement by a stop 31. The opposite end of the latch projects beyond the casing 24 to provide a suitable finger hold to enable the latch to be operated to release the lever 25 when it is desired to lower the bench. A leaf spring 32 normally maintains the latch 29 in operative position. It is apparent from this construction that when it is desired to increase the height of the box or seat, or when it is desired to roll the same across a floor, the levers 25 may be depressed, lifting the slide rods 21 and procasters beyond the lowermost extremities of the legs 13 and in engagement with the floor. The latches 29 automatically operate to retain the caster projecting mechanisms in extended position, but are capable of being readily operated to release the mechanisms when desired.

The interior of the box or seat is provided with longitudinal and lateral partitions 33 and 34: respectively, the said partitions being arranged in such manner as to provide a number of compartments open at their upper ends and of a size to conveniently accommodate standard size music rolls or records. The height of the box from the bot tom to the top edges thereof, may be substantially equal to or slightly greater than the length of a standard music roll, whereby the latter are completely housed within the compartments. Arranged for use in connection with each roll containing compartment is a supporting tape or strap 35. A metallic clip 36 is secured to one end of each strap and is adapted to engage over the upper edge of one of the partitions. The strap in each instance is of sufficient length to extend down into the compartment substantially the entire depth thereof, across and up the opposite side thereof.

Arranged upon the opposite partition edge is a retaining clip 37. This clip is of substantially inverted U-shape construction, and engages with the edges of the partition. A bail 38 extends upwardly and across each clip 37, and a stud 39 also projects upwardly from the bight portion of each clip intermediate the ends of' the same. The outer or free end of the strap 35 is provided with spaced openings 10-40, which are adapted after the strap end has been passed beneath the bail 38 to engage with and be supported by the stud 39. Normally, the endmost opening 40 is engaged with the stud 39,

whereby the roll within the compartment is supported in its lowermost position by the tape, but upon pull being applied to the free end of the tape, the latter will force the roll held thereby outwardly to a position to be grasped by the fingers. The tape may then be engaged or supported in upward position through engagement with the innermost aperture around the stud 39. If desired, the clips may be numbered or in scribed with data to identify the rolls contained within the various compartments.

Arranged upon the inner faces of the sides 11 of the box or bench, below the upper edges of the latter and in horizontal alinement, are track ways 41. These track ways extend throughout the length of the'sides, and support a movable seat frame 42. This frame is preferably constructed of metallic bars of light weight, and carries wheels or rollers 43 for resting upon the track ways. Hinged to one edge of the seat frame is a seat 44:, the latter being preferably of equal length and width with the seat frame and being adapted to swing upon its hinges toward and away from the same. A brace 15 is pivoted as at 16 to the seat and is adapted to engage at its free end with a suitable stop 47 upon the seat frame to hold the said seat in the desired inclination. braces may be arranged at each end of the pivoted seat. The upper surface of the seat is preferably upholstered or provided with a cushion. It will be observed that the seat when swung to its lowermost position, lies wholly below the upper surface or edge of the box constituting the bench body. From this construction, it is apparent that the seat and its frame may be freely moved from One of these one end of the bench or boX to the other, and the occupant thereof may easily adjust himself to the desired position relative to the piano keyboard. The construction also enables the various compartments containing music rolls to be readily accessible.

he top or closure for the box or bench is indicated at 48, and comprises a board or slab of suflicient length and Width to entirely cover and close the upper end of the boX. This slab or board is provided with a pair of spaced parallel laterally disposed guide bars 49, which fit slidably within keepers 50 hingedly connected as at 51 to the upper edge of one of the sides 11 of the box. This construction enables the lid or cover to be readily slid across the upper open end of the bench when it is desired to close the same, and to be readily moved rearwardly and swung downwardly to the exterior of the box when it is desired to use the sliding seat 44, or to remove the various music rolls from their compartments.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a highly useful and attractive article of furniture has been provided, and one which will prove thoroughly efficient in the attainment of the various ends for which it is designed.

While the above is a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that various changes or alterations in the minor details of construction may be resorted to if desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

at is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a bench, a track on said bench, a seat frame, rollers on said frame, for resting upon said track, a seat hinged to said frame, and

Uopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by

means for holding said seat in adjusted positions upon said frame, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, a body, tracks upon the interior of said body, a seat frame mounted for sliding movement on said tracks, a seat hinged to said frame, and braces on said seat for holding the same adjusted away from said frame, substantially as described.

I11 a device of the class described, a body, tracks upon the interior of said body and below the upper edges thereof, a seat mounted to travel on said tracks, and the upper surface of said seat lying in a plane below that of the upper edges of said body, substantially as described.

In a device of the class described, a body, tracks upon the interior of said body, a seat frame mounted to travel upon said tracks, a seat in said frame, the said seat being capable of being adjusted vertically, and the upper surface of said seat being disposed below the upper edges of said body when said seat is moved to its lowest position, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, a body, tracks on the interior of said body, a frame, rollers on said frame adapted to travel on said tracks, a seat hinged at one edge to said frame, and the upper surface of said seat being disposed below the upper edges of said body when in its lowest position, substantially as described.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY R. ALLEN.

Witnesses:

AUGUST P. KRoEeER, ALBERT O. KURTH.

addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

